REVIEWS:
(reviewed by Craig Singkofer)
HIGH POINTS: Unity, Hydroponic, My Stoney Baby, Plain, Feels So Good. LOW POINTS: Welcome, Visit, Paradise.
For about half of 1997, Music and Grassroots were about all I listened to. How in the hell does an oldies/classic rock/hair metal junkie like me become so enthralled with a band like 311? Easy. They offered things that bands like Motley Crue once had, like musical style and ingenuity. They also had something that groups like Limp Bizkit and Korn never hoped to have, namely talent. Too little, too late from the old, and as for the new, a .38 slug in my skull is a more appealing option than anything Fred Durst could offer.
Lets get one thing straight, though. There are four guys with original ideas and adequate talent, and S.A. Martinez is there, too. He offers nothing more than some inner-city punk bitch rapping that is better served anywhere but with this band. Hes nothing more than a sidekick, and it is apparent nearly anytime he opens his mouth. On the other hand, Nick Hexum has the goods. He can croon a bit, then bust into a little funk thing. Pretty cool. P-Nut gets a good groove going on the bass, Tim Mahoney brings the metal with his guitar and Chad Sexton is quite capable on the drums. So whats the deal with SA? Just like the crack house in your neighborhood, he brings down the value of everything around him.
Regardless, Music is just plain fun, bubbly, energetic rap/metal/reggae/ska/pop fusion done well. Its a little slow to build momentum though. Welcome has potential but is pretty blah. Freak Out and Visit pick up the pace a little, but its clear 311 is playing it safe. Paradise is mellow and just sucks. Finally Unity gets the flow moving a bit and sets up quite well to Hydroponic, an otherwise great tune with a weak chorus. My Stoney Baby has a great pop to it; I challenge you not to enjoy it. Nix Hex is full-out reggae in the tradition of Urban Dance Squads Deeper Shade of Soul.
Plain, Feels So Good and Fat Chance are the cream of the album by far. These songs are what Fred Durst and Jonathan Davis wake up with sticky pants dreaming about. This is what their idiot bands would sound like if they didnt suck. Enough said. Enjoy Music for what it is: a fine effort by a decent group. Nothing more, nothing less.
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